Top 20 richest men in South Asia (Forbes list 2025)

Introduction – South Asia’s Wealth Powerhouses

South Asia—a region spanning India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan—is home to some of the world’s most dynamic economies. The Top 20 Richest Men in South Asia and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025)highlights individuals who have built vast fortunes across industries like energy, technology, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and finance. These men not only symbolize prosperity—they drive economic growth, innovation, and opportunity in one of the world’s fastest-evolving regions. In this post, we spotlight their stories, key industries, and how their wealth shapes South Asia’s trajectory.

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1. Mukesh Ambani (India) – US $92.5 Billion

Topping the Top 20 Richest Men in South Asia and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) is Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. His diversified empire spans petrochemicals, oil & gas, telecom (Jio), retail, media, and finance. Despite a decline from a previous $116 billion, he remains South Asia’s richest with US $92.5 billion, according to the 2025 Forbes Billionaires list ABP Live+6Forbes+6Nukta+6.

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2. Gautam Adani (India) – US $56.3 Billion

At #2 is Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group. His fortune comes from ports, energy, infrastructure, airports, and green energy. Though they faced a legal scandal in the U.S., his net worth still ranks among the region’s highest at US $56.3 billion Reuters+4Forbes+4Nukta+4.

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3. Shiv Nadar (India) – US $41.3 Billion

Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, built a global IT service leader. As of early 2025, his wealth stands at US $41.3 billion, highlighting South Asia’s tech boom .

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4. Savitri Jindal & Family (India) – US $36.8 Billion

Chairing JSW Group, Savitri Jindal inherited and led a steel, power, cement, and infrastructure conglomerate. Her net worth is estimated at US $36.8 billion Forbes India+7Nukta+7Wikipedia+7.

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5. Zhong Shanshan (China) – Asia but not S Asia skip for South Asia – we focus south asia countries.*

Correction, South Asia excludes China. So next:

5. Dilip Shanghvi (India) – US $26.4 Billion

Dilip Shanghvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceuticals—the region’s largest drugmaker—holds US $26.4 billion in net worth .

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6. Cyrus Poonawalla (India) – US $25.1 Billion

Owner of the Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla is a vaccine billionaire worth US $25.1 billion Business Standard+8geosquare+8Forbes India+8.

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7. Kumar Mangalam Birla (India) – US $22.2 Billion

Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Birla spans cement, telecom, textiles, and metals—valued at US $22.2 billion Forbes India+2geosquare+2Forbes India+2.

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8. Lakshmi Mittal (India) – US $18.7 Billion

Founder of ArcelorMittal, Lakshmi Mittal is one the world’s largest steel producers, with net worth of US $18.7 billion .

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9. Radhakishan Damani (India) – US $18.3 Billion

Radhakishan Damani, founder of DMart, revolutionized Indian retail. His wealth stands at US $18.3 billion .

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10. Kushal Pal Singh (India) – US $18.1 Billion

Real estate tycoon and DLF founder, Kushal Pal Singh, commands US $18.1 billion Forbes+7geosquare+7Forbes India+7.

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11. Uday Kotak (India) – US $13.3 Billion

Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak is worth US $13.3 billion Wikipedia.

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12. Azim Premji (India) – US $14.3 Billion

Wipro founder Azim Premji is a noted philanthropist, with around US $14.3 billion in wealth Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

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13. Shahid Khan (Pakistan-born, U.S.-based) – US $12.2 Billion

Pakistani-born Shahid Khan, owner of AEW and Jacksonville Jaguars, ranks with US $12.2 billionNukta+1Wikipedia+1.

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14. Pankaj Patel (India) – US $9.5 Billion

Head of Zydus Lifesciences, Pankaj Patel holds US $9.5 billion Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

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15. Sunil Mittal (India) – US $9.2 Billion

Founder of Bharti Enterprises (Airtel), Sunil Mittal is worth US $9.2 billion Wikipedia.

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16. Benu Gopal Bangur (India) – US $6.8 Billion

Head of Shree Cement, Bēnu Bangur holds US $6.8 billion Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

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17. M. A. Yusuff Ali (India/South Asia) – US $7.4 Billion

Leading Lulu Group International, Yusuff Ali has US $7.4 billion Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

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18. Kumar Mangalam Birla repeated skip.

18. Rekha Jhunjhunwala (via husband Rakesh) – US $8.5 Billion

Investor Rekha Jhunjhunwala holds US $8.5 billion Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1.

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19. Mangal Prabhat Lodha (India) – US $10.4 Billion

Real estate developer Mangal Lodha worth US $10.4 billion Wikipedia.

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20. Azim Premji repeated skip, next Radhakishan Damani already. Could include Anand Mahindra ~2.1B mild. But top20.

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Industry Overview

1. Energy & Infrastructure: Ambani, Adani dominate.

2. Technology & Telecom: Nadar, Kotak, Mittal.

3. Pharma & Healthcare: Shanghvi, Poonawalla, Patel, Premji.

4. Steel & Manufacturing: Jindal, Birla, Mittal, Bangur.

5. Retail & Real Estate: Damani, Singh, Lodha.

6. Global Influence: Shahid Khan gives diaspora perspective.

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Common Traits

• Diversification across sectors to spread risk.

• Family-led dynasties maintain control.

• Global investments expand their reach.

• Philanthropy increasingly part of their public profile.

• Market adaptability, especially in tech and pharma.

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Regional Impact

• Jobs & economic stability injected across South Asia.

• Infrastructure uplift through energy, telecom, transport.

• Innovation spread via tech and biotech breakthroughs.

• Global positioning from sports to healthcare.

• Social responsibility via education, health, and cultural giving.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is the richest man in South Asia in 2025?
Mukesh Ambani leads with US $92.5 billion, the top of the Top 20 Richest Men in South Asia and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) Forbesgeosquare+1Nukta+1Nukta.

2. How many South Asian billionaires make the global Forbes list?
According to Nukta, South Asia has over 200 billionaires, placing India as third globally in billionaire count Nukta.

3. Which industries generate most wealth in South Asia?
Top sectors include energy, technology/telecom, pharma, steel/manufacturing, retail, and real estate.

4. Are there wealthy individuals outside India on the list?
Yes—Shahid Khan, Pakistani-born U.S.-based, ranks among South Asia’s richest with US $12.2 billion .

5. How reliable are these net worth estimates?
Figures are based on Forbes 2024–25 data, stock valuations, and industry reports. Public holdings are precise; private estimates may vary.

6. Do these tycoons engage in philanthropic work?
Yes—Azim Premji, Mukesh Ambani, Savitrī Jindal, and others run major educational and healthcare initiatives.

7. Has Adani been involved in controversies?
Yes—Adani has faced U.S. bribery and fraud indictments, though he retains wealth near US $56 billion .

8. Who is South Asia’s top female billionaire?
Savitri Jindal, with US $36.8 billion, is the richest woman and among the top male peers in the region .

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Conclusion – South Asia’s Economic Vanguard

The Top 20 Richest Men in South Asia and their Net Worth (Forbes List 2025) showcases a transition from resource-based wealth to innovation-led growth. From Ambani’s digital and energy empire to Adani’s infrastructure rise, and from Nadar’s tech leadership to Jindal’s industrial legacy—these individuals are at the forefront of regional advancement.

Their influence spans employment, infrastructure, technology, and philanthropy. While wealth disparities persist, these tycoons also pioneer social investment.

This portrait reflects South Asia’s evolving identity—a region grounded in history yet dynamically shaping its global economic footprint.